Negri Electronics routinely offers the hottest phones and tablets for sale ahead of the official launch in the U.S., and starting today users can preorder the 16GB Galaxy Note 2 for $724.50. Negri Electronics estimates the Galaxy Note 2 will ship on October 26th.

Paying over $700 is steep compared to the $200 and $300 phone costs with a carrier subsidy, but users that are in the middle of a contract or want the benefit of an unlocked phone that can work with almost any carrier SIM.

Users who are sick of waiting for the T-Mobile Galaxy Note, can purchase the Galaxy Note 2 from Negri Electronics to use on T-Mobile, but will be in for 2G and Edge speeds until the 1900Mhz 4G coverage is available. This 4G coverage could be available later this year.

AT&T users who want to get the Galaxy Note 2 before it launches on AT&T, likely late in 2012, can pick up this unlocked model and enjoy faster speeds than T-Mobile. With a late 2012 Galaxy Note 2 U.S. release date likely to start with AT&T, users may want to hold off unless they would be paying full retail at AT&T.

Samsung did not announce pricing, but we expect the phone will retail for $199 for 1^GB, $299 for 32GB and $399 for the 64GB model when they arrive with carrier discounts.